Dry FliesDrunken Suzy
The Drunken Suzy is a flashy, high-visibility dry fly designed to imitate Yellow Sally stoneflies. This eye-catching pattern features a UV-bright GloBrite Floss tail, iridescent Mirage Tinsel body, and a multi-layer wing system incorporating poly yarn, CDC, emergence dubbing, and deer hair. The result is a buoyant, attention-grabbing fly that trout readily accept during Yellow Sally emergences.
Summer
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases a creative approach to imitating Yellow Sally stoneflies with maximum visibility and buoyancy. The layered wing construction builds from poly yarn underwing through CDC and emergence dubbing to a deer hair overwing, creating a complex profile that traps air and floats in the roughest water. The opal Mirage Tinsel body adds flash that attracts fish while the GloBrite tail provides a bright trigger point.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100SP-BL, #16
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 30 Denier, yellow
Tail: GloBrite Floss, #4
Body: Mirage Tinsel, medium opal
Wing: Polypropylene Macrame Yarn, yellow
Head/Overwing: Nature's Spirit Emergence Dubbing, yellow
Head/Overwing 2: CDC Feathers, yellow, 2 feathers
Head/Overwing 3: Coastal Deer Hair, bleached and dyed yellow (or standard deer hair)
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during summer Yellow Sally stonefly emergences, typically June through August depending on location. Peak activity often occurs during afternoon and evening hours.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift or add subtle twitches to mimic the fluttering action of natural stoneflies. The high-vis construction makes this pattern easy to track through riffled water.
When to Use
Select this pattern during Yellow Sally hatches or when fish are actively feeding on small stoneflies. The bright coloration also makes it an effective attractor pattern during non-hatch periods.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly riffles, pocket water, and runs where Yellow Sally stoneflies emerge. The robust construction handles turbulent water while maintaining excellent floatation.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 5X-6X tippet. Excellent as a dry-dropper indicator fly due to its exceptional buoyancy and visibility.
Visibility & Floatation
The yellow coloration and multi-material wing provide exceptional visibility for the angler. The combination of deer hair, CDC, and poly yarn ensures the fly floats high even after multiple fish. Dress with floatant before fishing.
